“Fit like a rock!” proudly exclaims Iqbal Singh Sethi whenever someone asks how he is doing. Fondly known as the ‘Elvis in a turban,’ Sethi is best remembered for his 1960 song Beautiful Baby of Broadway (also known as Beautiful Baby Of Broadway or Bombshell Baby Of Bombay) from the Bollywood film Ek Phool Chaar Kaante. The song found renewed attention when it featured in Tubelight starring Salman Khan, where a sequence humorously recreates the iconic dance. Reported by Homegrown.
Early one morning, as we arrive at his Chembur apartment in Mumbai, where he lives with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, we are welcomed by his radiant smile. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and a deep-red turban, Sethi beams with warmth and pride.
In a featured article on the life of Iqbal Singh Sethi, published on 29 November 2021, Singh is quoted as stating that he was among the first to open doors for Sikhs in the film industry, adding that it was through his song that audiences could, for the first time, imagine a bearded and turbaned individual performing on screen.
Born on January 1, 1934, in West Pakistan, Sethi’s name itself carried echoes of the Independence movement. He completed his SSC in Pune, where his brother was posted in the army.
In 1949, he joined the Indian Navy and underwent training in Visakhapatnam for a year and a half. After six months of sea training, he became part of the crew of INS Delhi, originally built in the 1930s as the Royal Navy’s HMS Achilles.
His naval journey took him across ships like INS Bombay and INS Mysore, eventually bringing him to England. In 1953, he participated in Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Navy Review at Portsmouth, a prestigious Spithead tradition that marked a turning point in his life. It was here that he discovered jive dancing. His English girlfriend, Sylvia Beckham, taught him the art.
In an artcile published by Homegrown, Singh said.....“She was a very good jiver. I never knew how to jive. She taught me. We won a lot of competitions together.”
On February 13, 1956, he sailed for Plymouth, and on Valentine’s Day, they departed from Gibraltar towards India, later reaching Malta. During this time, Nasser Khan had blocked the Suez Canal, leaving his ship stranded in Malta for three months, a period Sethi recalls fondly, saying he “enjoyed it throughout!”
Upon returning to India, his father wished for him to settle down. He travelled to Punjab for marriage, and his wife became a pillar of support in his life.
“She always wore a sari and always took us along. She used to say that no matter what you are, who you are, whatever you do, always be humble.”
Her values shaped his outlook on life. Back in Bombay, he trained in singing and dancing under Sam and Ruby Aaron, parents of Salome Roy Kapur (mother of Aditya Roy Kapur and mother-in-law of Vidya Balan).
In an artcile published by Homegrown, Singh said.....“They forced me to get into dancing and took me to Taj Bombay where foreigners used to come to dance.”
Before entering Bollywood, Sethi had already gained immense popularity performing at venues like The Venice Nightclub and Trincas in Bombay, Calcutta, and Delhi. His talent eventually caught the attention of legendary composers Shankar-Jaikishan, leading to his iconic film song.
He fondly recalls his experiences from the 1960s, including dancing with a mysterious admirer named Susie at Trincas and performing Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock with Tony Brent in 1958. He also remembers taking late choreographer Saroj Khan dancing in 1967 and interacting with actors like Reena Roy and Prem Chopra.
At one point, Sethi had to make a life-defining choice between his passion and duty.
In an artcile published by Homegrown, Singh said.....“My work (music, dance, and movies) was my worship but my naval duties were for the service of my nation. I couldn’t combine both.”
He chose to serve the nation and was awarded for his service in 1965. Although many of his photographs were lost in the 2005 Mumbai floods, his medals remain as a testament to his dedication.
Following his wife’s illness, he was transferred to Port Blair. In 1969, after 20 years in the Navy, he left to care for his family and later worked at Rapid Industries for 27 years.
Reflecting on his decision, he says,
“I never looked back in my life for anything. One can’t bring the clock’s needle back, so why not simply look forward? It keeps you grounded.”
Even at 87, Sethi maintained a disciplined lifestyle, waking up at 5:30 every morning and managing his daily routine independently.
He left behind a powerful message:
“Be happy, enjoy yourself, never look back. If you look at the sky, you will fall down. If you look at the ground, you will always find yourself moving forward.”
Iqbal Singh Sethi passed away on November 27, 2021, before this feature was published. His family chose to share his story posthumously as a tribute to his extraordinary life. His legacy—as India’s very own Elvis Presley—continues to inspire generations.
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